The Exhibits

The Museum is home
to displays that draw on its core collection of over 10,000
items, and also exhibits various pieces and full displays that are on
loan from outside collections. The displays showcase collections from
the last 100 years, including examples from the
world's top toymakers.

Two extensive working model railway layouts

The Museum features a
priceless toy and model train
collection with an extensive working 1930's three-rail '0'
gauge layout, featuring authentic period
trackside
accessories.
Across the back of the museum
is an intricately-detailed working '00' model layout
based on
the Sussex
countryside.

Classic railway collections from Bing, Marklin,
Bassett-Lowke and more

An
extensive collection of model trains, locomotives and accessories, some
of which are the only known surviving examples.

Soft toys from Steiff and other manufacturers

Steiff's Peter
Rabbit, George the Bear, and their Friends

Meccano and other Construction Toys

A large selection of Meccano
and other
construction toys, from companies that you remember and companies that
you don't.

Dinky, Tri-Ang, Corgi
...

The Tri-Ang Spot
On
collection on display at the Museum is one of the largest in the world.

Puppets,
Dioramas, and other Exhibits

You can even try your hand at
old-fashioned penny arcade games or enjoy
early photographic animation by looking through a working mutoscope!

You will also see tin plate
toys, cars and buses, exotic toy and model ships, trams, large-scale,
radio-controlled aeroplanes, puppet theatres
(including a Punch and Judy booth),
and Pelham Puppets from Muffin the Mule
to Sooty. There
are a number of
beautiful dolls and rare dolls' house furniture on display as well as building
toys, paper construction models, and farm
and circus playsets.

The Shop

The shop
sells souvenirs,
books and postcards as well as inexpensive toys for young children and
a wide range of collectors' toys. The stock changes continually, so
stop in and have a browse. Admission to the shop is free and
doesn't require a visit to the Museum.

The shop
area also houses a working cast
iron coin-operated end-of-the-pier metal label-stamping machine. A 20p
coin lets you "thunk" the large handle to produce an aluminium tag that
can be up to 19 letters long (over 19 letters with additional coins).
It's fun, loud, and very therapeutic!

If you have
toys to donate or sell, please get in touch with the Museum
Office.